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Torcè Gelato In Rome Is A Great Way To Beat The Heat

ByBeppe Castro

Torcè gelato in Rome, Italy is one of the best ways to beat the Italian heat during the summer and this review will help you find this new favorite gelateria.

torce gelato - Mint Chocolate

Delicious Mint Chocolate

Even late in the summer, when you are enjoying Rome in the blazing hot months, we are lucky that gelato shops can be found on almost every corner in Rome. The gelato shop, known as a gelateria, can vary in quality, reputation and style so I wanted to review some of the most popular and some of my favorites.

In my opinion, don’t bother spending too much time trying to find “The Best” gelato in Rome because you might miss out on something amazing that influencers aren’t aware of. It is much more important to avoid some of the more obvious signs of lower quality and try as many gelaterias that you can find. Gelato is amazing and shouldn’t be avoided in an attempt to find the best gelato in Rome.

What Is Torcè Gelato?

This Gelateria and Cioccolateria known as Torcè has been around for more than 20 years and it can be found all over Rome. It is a small neighborhood spot that is popular with tourists and locals alike.

The history of Torcè began with a meeting with Master Chocolatier (Mastro Cioccolatiere) Giovanni Angiolini and it started with the goal of being able to offer amazing artisan chocolate products and a gelato that was at equally high level of quality. Their gelato and chocolate products have been made available to pastry shops and ice cream parlors all over Rome.

Where Can I Find Torcè In Rome?

Torcè has four locations around Rome, so you aren’t very far when walking around the city. The gelateria we went to is on Via Aventino, 59 which is near Circus Maximus, The Baths of Caracalla and the Pyramid. The other three convenient locations can be found at:

torce gelato - Worth Finding

Small, But Worth Finding!

How Is Gelato Made In Italy?

There are differences in the ingredients used in Gelato and Ice Cream. For example, in the US, more cream is used and in Italy milk is used to reach a lower fat content. The gelato in Italy also uses more sugar, which is surprising to me because generally things are much sweeter in the US than in Italy. Also, in the US, egg whites can be included, but aren’t part of a typical Italian gelato recipe.

To put some real numbers to it, gelato typically contains 4-8% fat as compared to the 14-16% found in ice cream in the US. Gelato also contains less air than most ice cream and because of this, it is more dense and richer in flavor. Scoop for scoop, you get more gelato and less air than you would when you get ice cream.

Why Does Gelato Not Freeze?

Gelato is not made to be completely frozen because it usually isn’t stored, but eaten immediately after ordering it. It CAN freeze, which I can personally attest to after having ordered some gelato to be delivered, but then putting some in the freezer to store overnight. It froze solid, which is different from how it is served in a gelateria. It is just below freezing, very soft and doesn’t last long.

What’s In Gelato Ice Cream?

Gelato is similar to the many types of ice cream across Europe and the US, but it is unique in its own ways. Gelato contains less air, is creamier, sweeter and comes with an amazing range of flavors, like fresh fruit, nuts like Pistachio and many different types of chocolate. There are some gelaterias that go even further than tradition usually allows, but my tastes for delicious gelato lean more traditional.

How Much Does Gelato Cost In Rome Italy?

Gelato is very affordable, especially when you are walking around the city experiencing the oppressive Roman heat. Of course, there are exceptions for fancy, high-end gelaterias and restaurants, but generally you can get a small cone for €2-3 up to a larger cone (or cup) for €6-7. It is common to choose multiple flavors for a single cone, and a popular addition is to add whipped cream (panna) on top. I usually skip the panna, but it is a popular addition for many folks.

torce gelato - Lemon Gelato

Lemon Gelato

How To Spot Good Gelato In Rome?

When you are looking for gelato, you should definitely try any place that looks good, but are there some signs of lower quality gelaterias that you should skip? Yes, these are a couple of pointers that you should pay attention to:

  • Color – The super bright and glowing colors are unnatural and should be avoided. Dull colors are more authentic, like banana gelato that isn’t bright yellow and pistachio flavored that is a very dull gray/green color. These are signs of quality.
  • Container – Plastic bins are a dead giveaway that the quality is low. Only stainless steel bins should be used. In addition, the gelato should NOT be overflowing the container. This is a sure sign that too much air has been whipped into the gelato and is lower in quality.
  • Taste – Most importantly, you can usually ask for a small taste to make sure you are choosing something you will enjoy. I heard about a gelateria that uses some strange flavors, like Cacio e Pepe gelato, but doesn’t allow for a taste. I would skip a place like this.
torce gelato - Welcoming

Very Welcoming

Is Torcè Gelato The Best In Rome?

I was honestly surprised how much I enjoyed Torcè, and it is because of three things: First, service was really fantastic because we were trying to order, enjoy, take pictures and videos all while fumbling around, and the woman behind the counter couldn’t have been nicer.

Second, I was unaware of their focus on chocolate, and I can confirm that the Chocolate Gelato I ordered was of the highest quality. Lastly, I’ve noticed that Mint-Chocolate isn’t very common in Rome, but they had it and it was delightful.

Their offerings are many, including all the classics you might want, but since they have my favorite flavor, how can I not recommend them! If you are near one, you should definitely make a stop for a gelato and maybe some chocolate just to brighten your day a bit.

More Delicious Italian Food To Consider

If you enjoyed this review of Torcè gelato in Rome and you want to learn about more delicious Italian foods and drinks, here are some additional posts that you might find interesting:

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